Umecta News

-- Hot weather, swimming and more time spent outside can lead to dry skin. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests how to combat the problem: Take a shower and shampoo your hair as soon as you get out of the pool. Use sunscreen before heading outdoors. Choose one that's water-resistant, broad spectrum and has an SPF of at least 30. Avoid body washes that are deodorant or antibacterial. Keep your bath or shower water warm, not hot. Use a fragrance-free moisturizer all over as soon as you get out of the shower or bath. Crank down your thermostat a few degrees if your home feels too dry. Read more

WEDNESDAY, June 29, 2016 – Although some doctors advise against giving a daily bath to kids with the skin condition eczema, a new paper says a daily soak is fine as long as it's followed by plenty of moisturizer. Eczema occurs in adults and children, but is most common in babies. It results in extremely dry, itchy skin, and sometimes inflamed rashes. Some medical professionals believe infrequent bathing (less than once a day) helps prevent skin irritation. However, others contend that bathing at least once a day helps keep skin hydrated, as long as baths are followed by immediate use of a moisturizer to seal in moisture. This process was dubbed "soak and smear" in the paper written by Dr. Ivan Cardona, an allergy and immunology specialist from Portland, Maine, and colleagues. "A number of medical groups have commented on the general role of bathing in eczema. But they don't all agree ... Read more

-- Dry, itchy skin can be caused by a number of factors, from health conditions to age. The American Academy of Dermatology cites these possible triggers: Getting older generally causes skin to become thinner and drier. Living in a desert-like climate can dry skin. Having a skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis, can lead to dry skin. Having a job in which your hands are frequently in water can lead to dry, cracked hands. Swimming frequently in pools with high amounts of chlorine can dry skin. Read more

-- Dry, itchy skin can be annoying and even painful. Fortunately, it's mostly preventable. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests: Take lukewarm baths and showers, and don't stay too long. Carefully pat skin dry, and apply moisturizer as soon as you get out. Opt for a thick moisturizing cream or ointment instead of lotion. Choose fragrance-free products, which tend to be less drying and irritating. Run a humidifier to keep the air moist. Skip wool and rough fabrics. Instead, opt for 100 percent cotton and other "breathable" fabrics. Wash hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer. Use a thick hand cream after each washing. Read more

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 – Patients using prescription creams, gels, sprays and pills for skin conditions may shell out substantially more at the pharmacy than they did just six years ago, a new study suggests. Between 2009 and 2015, retail prices of brand-name dermatologic drugs rose 401 percent, on average, study authors reported Nov. 25 in JAMA Dermatology. Even generics have succumbed to price inflation, up 279 percent between 2011 and 2014, based on the drugs surveyed. Price increases for skin treatments far outpaced the general inflation rate of 11 percent during the six-year study period, the researchers said. "Cancer drugs were the worst in terms of the numbers" – up 1,240 percent or nearly $11,000 over the six-year study period – primarily because of two medicines, said Dr. Steven Rosenberg, voluntary professor of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of ... Read more